There’s only two teams still alive for the 2019 college football season, and it’s the two teams playing for it all in New Orleans this coming Monday. That means every team not named Clemson or LSU are already looking ahead to the 2020 season. You can unfortunately count Ohio State in that population as well after some frustration, disappointment, and a little bit of anger after the Fiesta Bowl.
No matter. Move on we must, so that’s what we’re doing. And when you have as much talent as a team like the Buckeyes have coming back, it at least makes things a little easier.
But, Ohio State fans aren’t the only ones looking forward. Some media outlets like 247Sports are starting to already make some very early predictions for teams that will end up in the College Football Playoff for 2020. And if you’re an OSU fan, then you’ll like what writer Brian Crawford has to say.
According to him, the Buckeyes are destined to travel to a very familiar place. He has them going to the Rose Bowl in one of the two College Football Playoff semifinals. The team he has them facing is a resurgent Florida team led by former Urban Meyer assistant Dan Mullens.
Predicting next season's #CFBPlayoff, New Year's Six matchups: https://t.co/fL4YpWNFZk pic.twitter.com/6K3Yj4MAtA
— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 7, 2020
Here’s what Crawford says about the potential of the Rose Bowl matchup.
It’s a bit hazy, sure, but there is a justifiable path to the Playoff for Dan Mullen in Year 3 with the Gators. Let’s say Florida finishes 11-1 during the regular season with its only loss coming to Georgia in Jacksonville — which would include a Top 10 win over LSU in Gainesville. Georgia finishes 11-1 with a loss to Alabama, thus wins the East with the tiebreaker. Then, the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs again in Atlanta, ensuring Florida is the SEC’s second-most attractive option for the Playoff committee. Hmm. Keep an eye on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, who will surge to the front of the Heisman race. The other team here is chalk. Ohio State should field the most talented team nationally next fall with Justin Fields back and a host of playmakers around him.
So who does he have in the other Semifinal? It’s another familiar matchup with Clemson and Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. I feel like we’ve seen that movie and a few sequels before?
If this all comes to fruition, hopefully this time the Buckeyes can be the last team standing.
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